Clamp assembly

Abstract

An improved clamp assembly for clamping the overlapping ends of metal tubes in an exhaust system. The clamp assembly includes a metal ring having a pair of overlapping end portions disposed in side-by-side contact. A generally U-shaped bracket is secured to each of the end portions and each bracket has a pair of opposed legs connected by a web portion. Extensions project longitudinally outward from the end of each leg and the extensions are offset laterally from each other. One leg of each bracket is welded to one of the end portions of the ring and the welded leg is bent adjacent the weld to position the first extension in slidable contact with the other end portion of the ring. The extension of the opposite leg is disposed in side-by-side relation with the first extension and also serves to slidably receive the opposite end portion of the ring. A bolt extends through aligned openings in the brackets and the head of the bolt bears against the side edge of one bracket while a nut threaded on the opposite end of the bolt bears against the side edge of the other bracket. By threading down the bolt, the ring is contracted in diameter to provide a low cost, 360° C. closure for clamping the tubes.

I claim: 
     
       1. A clamp assembly for clamping overlapping ends of metal tubes, comprising a ring to receive the overlapping ends of a pair of metal tubes and having a pair of overlapping ring ends disposed in direct contact with each other, a generally U-shaped bracket for each of said ends, each bracket having opposed first and second legs, means for securing a first leg of each bracket to one of said ring ends and the second leg of each bracket being disposed in contact with the outer surface of the other of said ring ends whereby the other ring end can slide relative to the respective bracket, each bracket defining an opening with said openings being in alignment, a generally L-shaped extension connected to the first leg of each bracket and having a first section extending longitudinally of the axis of said ring and disposed in contact with the outer surface of said overlapping ring ends, said extension also having a second section extending radially inward from the outer end of said first section and disposed in contact with the outer of said first section and disposed in contact with said other ring end whereby said other ring end can slide relative to the respective extension, and fastening means extending freely through said aligned openings for drawing said brackets in a direction toward each other to contract said ring and clamp said overlapping ends of said tubes. 
     
     
       2. The clamp assembly of claim 1, wherein said securing means comprises a weld. 
     
     
       3. The clamp assembly of claim 1, wherein said fastening means comprises a bolt, said bolt including a head disposed in engagement with the side edge of one of said brackets and a nut threaded on the bolt and engaged with the side edge of the other of said brackets, whereby threading of said nut on said bolt will draw the brackets in a direction toward each other. 
     
     
       4. The clamp assembly of claim 1, wherein the second section of said extension is disposed in side-by-side relation with said second leg. 
     
     
       5. In an exhaust system, a pair of metal tubes disposed in axial alignment with adjacent end portions of said tubes being disposed in overlapping relation, and a clamp assembly comprising a ring to receive the overlapping adjacent end portions of said tubes and having a pair of overlapping ring ends disposed in direct contact with each other, a generally U-shaped bracket for each of said ring ends, each bracket having opposed first and second legs, means for securing a first leg of each bracket to one of said ring ends and the second leg of each bracket being disposed in contact with the outer surface of the other of said ring ends whereby the other ring end can slide relative to the respective bracket, each bracket defining an opening with said openings being in alignment, a generally shaped extension connected to the first leg of each bracket and having a first section extending longitudinally of the axis of said ring and disposed in contact with the outer surface of said overlapping ring ends, said extension also having a second section extending radially inward from the outer end of said first section and disposed in contact with said other ring end whereby said other ring end can slide relative to the respective extension, and fastening means extending freely through said aligned openings for drawing said brackets in a direction toward each other to contract said ring and clamp said overlapping ends of said tubes.